Looking for a delightful treat to impress your loved ones? Our Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread recipe is the answer! Packed with fresh blueberries and creamy goodness, this bread is moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, it’s sure to become a household favorite.
Ingredients Needed for Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread
- Butter (Softened, Unsalted): Butter adds richness and moisture to the bread, enhancing its flavor and texture. Softened butter is easier to incorporate into the batter, ensuring a smooth consistency.
- Cream Cheese (Softened): Cream cheese contributes to the creamy texture and tangy flavor of the bread. When softened, it blends seamlessly with the other ingredients, resulting in a moist and tender crumb.
- Sugar: Sugar not only sweetens the bread but also helps to tenderize the crumb and promote browning during baking. It adds sweetness and balances the tartness of the blueberries and cream cheese.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the bread, imparting a warm and aromatic note. It adds depth and complexity to the recipe, elevating its taste.
- Eggs: Eggs act as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together and provide structure to the bread. They also contribute to the bread’s richness and help it rise during baking.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour serves as the base ingredient, providing structure and stability to the bread. All-purpose flour is versatile and ensures a tender crumb without being too dense.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the bread rise and become light and fluffy. It creates air bubbles in the batter, resulting in a soft and airy texture.
- Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the bread by balancing the sweetness and accentuating the other ingredients’ tastes. It also strengthens the gluten structure in the flour, improving the bread’s texture.
- Fresh Blueberries: Blueberries add bursts of fruity sweetness and vibrant color to the bread. They provide a juicy contrast to the creamy richness of the cream cheese and create pockets of flavor throughout the loaf.
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread, from providing moisture and structure to enhancing flavor and visual appeal. Together, they combine to produce a deliciously irresistible treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
How to Make This Bread
Step-by-step guide on how to make Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread:
- Preheat oven and prepare pans.
- Cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugar.
- Add vanilla extract and eggs.
- Incorporate dry ingredients.
- Fold in blueberries.
- Transfer batter to pans.
- Bake until golden brown and fragrant.
- Cool and serve.
Tips for the Ultimate Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread
To ensure your Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread turns out irresistibly delicious every time, consider the following tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature before beginning. This allows for easier incorporation and a smoother batter.
- Gently Fold in Blueberries: Avoid overmixing the batter once the blueberries are added to prevent them from bursting and discoloring the bread.
- Use Fresh Blueberries: While frozen blueberries can be used in a pinch, fresh blueberries will impart the best flavor and texture to your bread.
- Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar according to your preference. If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can increase the sugar slightly.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Get creative with your add-ins! Consider incorporating lemon zest, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor dimension.
How to Store This Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread
If you find yourself with leftovers (which is unlikely, given how quickly this bread tends to disappear!), here’s how to properly store it for optimal freshness:
- Room Temperature: Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: For longer storage, you can refrigerate the bread for up to 1 week. Simply wrap it well to prevent it from drying out.
- Freezer: Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread also freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices or the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil before placing it in the freezer. It can be stored for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply leave it at room temperature or gently reheat slices in the microwave or toaster oven.
Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread offers a delightful fusion of flavors and textures that is sure to delight your taste buds with each and every bite. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or dessert, this bread is bound to become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh ones?
- Yes, you can use frozen blueberries, but be sure to thaw and drain them before incorporating them into the batter to prevent excess moisture.
- Can I substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour?
- While you can substitute whole wheat flour, be aware that it will yield a denser texture and slightly nuttier flavor.
- Can I omit the cream cheese from the recipe?
- The cream cheese adds richness and moisture to the bread, but you can omit it if necessary. However, the texture and flavor may be slightly different.
- Can I add a streusel topping to the bread for extra crunch?
- Absolutely! A streusel topping made with flour, sugar, and butter would be a delicious addition to this bread.
- Is it necessary to grease the loaf pans if using non-stick pans?
- Even if using non-stick pans, it’s still recommended to grease them to ensure easy release of the bread after baking.
BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE BREAD
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, SnacksCuisine: American12
servings10
minutes50
minutesLooking for a delightful homemade treat that’s both easy to make and irresistibly delicious? Try our Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread recipe!
Ingredients
1 cup softened unsalted butter
8 oz softened cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups fresh blueberries, tossed in 1 tablespoon flour
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, softened cream cheese, and sugar until smooth.
- Add the vanilla extract and eggs to the creamed mixture and mix well.
- Slowly add in the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until fully combined.
- Carefully fold in the fresh blueberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the thick batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans.
- Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the pans from the oven and allow the bread to cool slightly before removing it from the pans and slicing.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread!
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